Theresa May has called for "one final push" to get a deal on restoring devolved government in Northern Ireland.

Speaking after a series of meetings in Belfast aimed at agreeing a power-sharing deal after more than a year of deadlock at Stormont, the Prime Minister said: "While differences remain, I think there is the basis of an agreement here".

The positive tone was echoed by the DUP's Arlene Foster and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, while Irish PM Leo Varadkar said he was "very hopeful" of a deal being struck this week.

It is 13 months since Northern Ireland's devolved government collapsed, after Ms Foster refused to stand down as First Minister over a botched renewable energy scheme

The involvement of the British and Irish PMs in Monday's discussions raised speculation that an agreement could be imminent.

But while such hopes proved unfounded, all parties said an accord was in sight.

Ms Foster said her party wanted a deal that was "good for everyone" and "sustainable" in the long-term, telling reporters: "Good progress has been made and we will continue to work towards more progress.

Image:It is 13 months since the devolved government at Stormont collapsed